n.
Pronunciation: ' s ə r-p ə nt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin serpent-, serpens, from present participle of serpere to creep; akin to Greek herpein to creep, Sanskrit sarpati he creeps
Date: 13th century
1 a archaic : a noxious creature that creeps, hisses, or stings b : SNAKE
2 : DEVIL 1
3 : a treacherous person